Basilica di San Nicola Tours

Bari is the capital city of Puglia in southern Italy and over its years as the most important port on the Adriatic it acquired a rich and varied architectural legacy. Chief among these is the landmark grandeur of the Basilica di San Nicola in Barivecchia, the centro storico that lies at the heart of the modern city. Some 150 years in the making, the cathedral was completed in 1197, when Bari was under Norman rule; it is a fine example of Puglian-Romanesque architecture with a squat, austere and simple façade. Inside there’s a fine mosaic floor, clearly showing Turkish influence, plus a fine altar and a carved 12th-century stone bishops’ throne, supported by comedic sagging figures.

The basilica is a point of pilgrimage for both Catholic and Orthodox Christians as it contains the relics of St Nicholas, which were stolen in the 11th century from his original resting place in Myra in present day Turkey. He is patron saint of Bari but better known across the English-speaking world as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, provider of much excitement for children come December 24. His remains are found in the crypt, which is adorned with carved columns and gleaming icons; it is believed that myrrh seeps constantly from his body, a legend celebrated on December 6 along with solemn processions through the city.

Practical Info

The Basilica di San Nicola is at Largo Abate Elia 13 and is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday until 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Taste typical street food during this private walking tour of Bari. Go off the beaten bath and explore the old city center, including medieval side streets. The itinerary also features top landmarks such as Basilica San Nicola and Piazza del Ferrarese. Your local guide leads the way to taste traditional street snacks including focaccia barese and panzerotto.

Shop and sightsee on a 3-hour tour with a difference in Bari. The private experience is by rickshaw, allowing you to travel around the city quickly and with ease. Hear recommendations for Bari's most interesting shops, and look out for the sights in between visits to boutiques. Views of the Swabian Castle, Basilica of St. Nicholas, and Bari Cathedral are included, and the tour ends with a prosecco or a spritz aperitivo.

Experience amazing Bari on a 3-hour guided walking tour, and discover the best places for eating and shopping. Your experienced and official Bari guide will lead you straight into the center of Bari. Take an amazing walk along the medieval walls of the Aragonese Castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

Experience the sights of the capital of Puglia with this private 2-hour walking tour of Bari. Learn about the city's history, including some of its most famous residents, and see Bari's most noteworthy monuments. Walk through picturesque streets and piazzas, visit historic churches, and see a Medieval castle.

Taste your way around town with this street food tour of Bari, and learn about the city’s signature treats from a private guide. Starting with a walk around Bari’s Old Town, the tour introduces you to standout sights such as the Basilica of St. Nicholas and its sacred crypt. Continue to explore the cobblestoned enclave, trying fresh burrata cheese, focaccia, salumi, panzerotti, and home-made gelato. Finally, you’ll finish with a visit to the city’s French neighborhood where a large fish market is held.

Team a walking tour of Bari with a cooking class in a local home, and discover the secrets of the local orecchiette pasta. With a private guide, you’ll make your way around the enticing Old Town lanes, discovering landmarks such as the Basilica of St. Nicholas and hearing the city’s history. After a visit to the city’s French enclave with its modern seafront sights, you’ll visit the home of a local to make fresh pasta pomodoro and try the local primitivo red wine.

Pedal through Bari on a bike tour, then finish in the home of a local signora, cooking a pasta dish typical of the Puglia region. The experience starts with a ride through the city’s handsome Old Town to discover landmarks as the Basilica of St. Nicholas and striking Bari Cathedral. Follow your guide through the modern French side of the city, then call in at a local home to make orecchiette pasta pomodoro by hand. A glass of the intense primitivo local wine is included as you eat.

Discover the sights and flavors of Bari on a 3-hour bike tour. After exploring the historic Old Town on two wheels, you’ll then visit a bakery, brewery, deli, winery, and a gelateria. Sample food at each venue, trying treats such as the local ‘focaccia barese,’ before you venture into the modern streets of the city’s French quarter.

Explore Puglia’s capital on this 2-hour bike tour that takes you through Bari’s maze-like old town and lesser-known neighborhoods outside the city center. Cover much more distance than walking to see highlights such as the San Sabino Cathedral, the Basilica di San Nicola, and the local fish market while your guide shares insight into the city’s heritage. Take in beautiful seaside views and stop for a tasting of delicious handmade ice cream.

Hop on a rickshaw to discover Bari’s street food scene with your own personal guide. The private tour includes a ride around the city’s captivating Old Town, stopping at sights and eateries along the way. Admire the white façade of the Basilica of St. Nicholas and hear the history behind the imposing walls of the Swabian Castle as you pass by. Treats such as gelato, focaccia, burrata cheese, and panzerotti are all included through the tour.

Though sometimes overshadowed by rival Lecce, Bari has a few surprises up its sleeve, especially in its old town. With this tour, let a guide take you to uncover Bari Vecchia, from the Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Myra—also known as Santa Claus—which houses his bones, to the medieval Norman-Swabian fortress that welcomes visitors to the district. Finish the tour with a light lunch of focaccia.

Discover Bari's historic heart and commercial soul on a 3-hour shopping and sightseeing tour with your own private guide. After exploring the alleyways of Bari Old Town to see landmarks such as the Swabian Castle, you'll dive into the elegant boutiques and ateliers that make Bari a popular shopping destination. Let your guide recommend shops based on your preferences, and discover quality 'Made in Italy' products. The tour ends with a classic aperitivo in one of the squares.